NEW DELHI — With effect from Thursday (December 20), the President’s rule was imposed in India’s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, after the expiry of six months of Governor’s rule, reported Xinhua news agency.
The state had plunged into a political crisis in June this year after the then-chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to a minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
As the state has a separate Constitution, other than India’s, six months of Governor’s rule is compulsory under Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, under which all the legislative powers are vested with the governor, who is a representative of the Center.
The governor has to dissolve the state’s legislative assembly after six months of absence of any government in the state. The state then directly comes under President’s rule for another six months after which elections have to be held in the state. And in case the elections are not declared, President’s rule can be extended by another six months.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had on Nov 21, dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the People’s Democratic Party, supported by the Indian National Congress and the National Conference, had staked their claim to form the government.
— BERNAMA
